Learn Portuguese (Portugal): Preferes o comboio? — Não, prefiro o autocarro. - Do you prefer the train?

Preferes o comboio? — Não, prefiro o autocarro.

Do you prefer the train? — No, I prefer the bus.

Breakdown of Preferes o comboio? — Não, prefiro o autocarro.

Questions & Answers about Preferes o comboio? — Não, prefiro o autocarro.

Why is there no word for "Do" at the start of the question?

In Portuguese, you don't need a helping verb like "do" or "does" to ask a question. You just use the standard verb form (preferes) and raise the pitch of your voice at the end of the sentence to show you are asking something.

Why does the spelling change from preferes to prefiro?

Preferir (to prefer) is slightly irregular. In the "I" form (eu), the second 'e' changes to an 'i', making it prefiro. For the informal "you" form (tu), it keeps the 'e', making it preferes.

In English, I might just say "Do you prefer trains?" Why does Portuguese use o (the) here?

In Portuguese, when you talk about liking, loving, or preferring things in general, you almost always need to include the definite article (o, a, os, or as). So you literally say "I prefer the train" (o comboio) even if you mean trains in general.

I've learned the words "trem" and "ônibus" before. Why does this sentence use comboio and autocarro?